ENGLISH
REFERENCE

suspected

v. · adj.
US //səˈspɛktɪd// UK //səspˈɛktɪd// sus·pect·ed
  1. 1 to believe something is likely (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to think that something is probably true or likely to happen.

    to have an idea or impression of the existence or presence of something without certain proof.

    Example

    I suspected that the meeting would be cancelled because the manager was ill.

    Example

    The researchers suspected that the initial data contained errors, so they decided to repeat the entire experiment from the beginning.

    Usage

    Often followed by a 'that' clause or used as a past participle.
  2. 2 to believe someone is guilty (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Law

    to think that someone has done something wrong or committed a crime.

    to believe someone to be guilty of a crime or offence without having certain proof.

    Example

    The police suspected him of stealing the car after they found his keys nearby.

    Example

    Although the authorities suspected her of leaking confidential documents, they lacked the physical evidence required to make a formal arrest.

    Usage

    Commonly used with the pattern 'suspect someone of something'.
  3. 3 thought to be guilty or a cause (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describing a person or thing that people think is responsible for a problem or crime.

    believed to be a cause of a problem or the perpetrator of a crime; typically used before a noun.

    Example

    The suspected thief was seen running away from the shop just after noon.

    Example

    Health officials identified the suspected source of the outbreak as a local water treatment facility that had recently failed an inspection.

Last updated June 19, 2026